Safety Tips and Articles

Stranger Danger

Safety Tips on teaching your child the dangers of strangers

Never talk to a stranger.
Memorize your home telephone number.
Know how to use 911 (for emergencies only).
The best weapon you can use against a stranger is your voice.
If someone that you do not know approaches you, take 2 steps back and run away.

Strangers and Other Dangers

A stranger is a person whom you have never met. You may have seen the person before but do not know anything about him or her. Strangers don't look like monsters, aliens or bad guys you see on TV. They look like ordinary people.

What's the big deal?

Most strangers are nice, but some are not. You can't tell if a stranger is nice or not by looking at him or her. But you can tell if a situation is good or bad.

What you should do:

1. Be aware of dangerous situations. If a stranger asks you for help or to keep a "special secret," it could be a dangerous situation. Say "Stranger, you're not my Mom or Dad" and run away.
2. Trust your instincts. If you feel scared or uncomfortable, take 2 steps back away from the stranger and run to a safe place.
3. Know what to do. Think, No, Go, Yell, Tell.
4. If you're in a dangerous situation, say no, run away, yell as loud as you can, and tell an adult.
5. Ask your parents first. If a stranger invites you to go somewhere, offers you a gift, or just wants to talk, say you need to ask your parents for permission first. Then go do it.
6. Stick with friends. It's always safer to play in a group.

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